30-Hour Construction Industry OSHA Outreach Training Program Stairways and Ladders General Requirements These rules specify when employers must provide stairways and ladders. In general, the standards require the following:

• When there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more and no ramp, runway, embankment or personnel hoist is available, employers must provide a stairway or ladder at all worker points of access.

• When there is only one point of access between levels, employers must keep it clear of obstacles to permit free passage by workers. If free passage becomes restricted, employers must provide a second point of access and ensure that workers use it.

• When there are more than two points of access between levels, employers must ensure that at least one point of access remains clear. In addition, employers must install all stairway and ladder fall protection systems required by these rules and ensure that their worksite meets all requirements of the stairway and ladder rules before employees use stairways or ladders. See 29 CFR 1926.1050-1060 for the details of the standard.

Note: The standard does not apply to ladders specifically manufactured for scaffold access and egress, but does apply to job-made and manufactured portable ladders intended for general purpose use. Rules for ladders used on or with scaffolds are addressed in 29 CFR 1926.451 Subpart L.

Please refer to OSHA’s guide on stairways and ladders should a unique situation arise that is not covered within this course. https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3124.pdf

Ladder Requirements

• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease and other slipping hazards.

• Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturer’s rated capacity.

• Use ladders only for their designed purpose.

• Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.

• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement. Do not use slip-resistant feet as a substitute for exercising care when placing, lashing or holding a ladder upon slippery surfaces.

• Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement. Or use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.

• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders.

• Do not move, shift or extend ladders while in use.

• Use ladders equipped with nonconductive side rails if the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.

• Face the ladder when moving up or down.

• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing.

• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling. Stairway Requirements

• Stairways that will not be a permanent part of the building under construction must have landings at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide (76 x 56 cm) at every 12 feet (3.7 m) or less of vertical rise.

• Stairways must be installed at least 30 degrees —and no more than 50 degrees—from the horizontal.

• Variations in riser height or stair tread depth must not exceed 1/4 inch in any stairway system, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs.

• Doors and gates opening directly onto a stairway must have a platform that extends at least 20 inches (51 cm) beyond the swing of the door or gate.

• Metal pan landings and metal pan treads must be secured in place before filling.

• Stairway parts must be free of dangerous projections such as protruding nails.

• Slippery conditions on stairways must be corrected.

• Workers must not use spiral stairways that will not be a permanent part of the structure.

• Stairways with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height— whichever is less—must be installed along each unprotected side or edge. When the top edge of a stair rail system also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge must be no more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail to the surface of the tread.

• Handrails and top rails of the stair rail systems must be able to withstand, without failure, at least 200 pounds (890 n) of weight applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge.

Notes

30-Hour Construction Industry OSHA Outreach Training Program Construction Safety Inspections General Requirements Section 1926.20(b)(2) requires frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers. The entire construction site is the responsibility of the general contractor, unless there is contract language to the contrary. Subcontractors should inspect their own work areas. Workplace Posters

• OSHA

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• Polygraph Protection Act

• Minimum Wage

• Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA)

• Texas Payday Law

• Texas Workers’ Compensation Status Handout – Construction Inspection Checklist Questions

1. How do we correct the problem as quickly as possible? 2. How do we document the problem? 3. Is the problem happening anywhere else on the construction site? 4. What steps need to be taken to keep the problem from happening again?

Notes

Construction Inspection Checklist

Jobsite Address: ______________________________ Superintendent: ______________________________

Date/Time:______________________________ Inspector(s) :____________________________________

Check Items Inspected:

Yes No N/A Subcontractor Involved General Safety Administration

_________________ 1. Posters and safety signs/warnings up?

_________________ 2. Safety meetings held periodically and documented?

_________________ 3. Do all workers on site have all required training?

_________________ 4. First aid kit available and adequately stocked?

_________________ 5. Are one or more qualified first aiders available?

_________________ 6. Accident reporting procedure established?

_________________ 7. Are emergency telephone numbers posted?

_________________ 8. Is a site emergency action plan in place?

Housekeeping and Sanitation

_________________ 1. General neatness of work area(s)?

_________________ 2. Sanitary facilities adequate and clean?

_________________ 3. Adequate potable water supply? Adequate drinking

cups?

_________________ 4. Scrap lumber, other debris removed?

_________________ 5. Are protruding nails hammered out or hammered flat?

_________________ 6. Are floors, especially walkways, kept clear of trip

hazards?

_________________ 7. Are floor holes covered or otherwise guarded?

_________________ 8. Are anchor bolts and protruding rebar guarded against

impalement?

Fire Prevention/Protection

_________________ 1. Adequate number and type of fire extinguishers

available? (one per 3,000 square feet of building)

_________________ 2. Are extinguisher inspections performed and recorded?

_________________ 3. Are flammable liquids properly stored?

_________________ 4. “No smoking” signs posted and enforced?

_________________ 5. Are hotwork procedures in place for cutting, welding and

burning?

_________________ 5. Do these include firewatchers with extinguishers in place

for 30 minutes after the hotwork has been completed?

Chemical and Compressed Gas Management

_________________ 1. Are chemicals in appropriate, labeled containers?

_________________ 2. Are Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals readily

available?

_________________ 3. Does the site have one or more Master Chemical Lists?

2

_________________ 4. Are stored compressed gas cylinders upright and

secured?

_________________ 5. Do stored cylinders have valve caps firmly in place?

_________________ 6. Are stored fuel gases and oxygen separated by 20 feet or

a thirty-minute fire barrier?

Electrical

_________________ 1 . Is temporary power run through GCFIs?

_________________ 2. Are electrical tools grounded or double-insulated?

_________________ 3. Are electrical boxes equipped with required covers?

_________________ 4. Are unused openings in electrical boxes blanked off?

_________________ 5. Are missing circuit breakers in energized electrical

boxes blanked off with hard blanks?

Personal Protective Equipment

_________________ 1. Are employees issued PPE where needed?

_________________ 2. Is PPE being inspected and used?

_________________ 3. Employees trained in the use of PPE?

_________________ 4. Adequate fall protection provided? Being used?

_________________ 5. 100% safety glasses/goggles/face shields?

_________________ 6. Are clear eye protectors in use for indoor work?

_________________ 7. Hearing protection where needed?

_________________ 8. Respirators and dust masks?

_________________ 9. If respirators are required, have users gone through

medical surveillance?

_________________ 10. Are hard hats in use below overhead work?

_________________ 11. Is hand and foot protection adequate??

Subcontractor Involved Hand and Power Tools

_________________ 1. Are guards in place and used correctly?

_________________ 2. Damaged or malfunctioning tools tagged out until

repaired or replaced?

_________________ 3. Are cords and plugs included in electrical inspection?

Ladders

_________________ 1. Ladders inspected and in good condition?

_________________ 2. Do ladders have legible load limits posted?

_________________ 3. Do side rails extend 36” above top of landing?

_________________ 4. Are ladders being used properly?

3

Subcontractor Involved Self-Propelled Equipment (forklifts, loaders, tractors,

scissors lifts, boom lifts, sweepers and ditchers)

_________________ 1. Are operators all authorized by their employers?

(check licenses)

_________________ 2. Has equipment been inspected in writing?

_________________ 3. Where provided, are seat belts worn?

_________________ 4. Is equipment operated correctly?

_________________ 4. Are forklifts parked with the forks flat on the ground,

the engine turned off and the parking brake set?

Scaffolding

_________________ 1. Erected and inspected daily by competent person?

_________________ 2. Base plates on all vertical posts? Mudsills in use on all

surfaces other than concrete?

_________________ 3. Is decking complete? Do deck planks overlap end rails

by 6 to 12 inches?

_________________ 4. Is fall protection in place (X-braces, rails, and chains)?

_________________ 5. Do deck planks deflect more than two inches in ten feet?

_________________ 6. Is scaffolding in good condition, plumb and upright?

Trenching and Excavation

_________________ 1. Are trenches more than five feet deep protected by

trench shields, trench shores, sloping or benching?

_________________ 2. Are trenches more than four feet deep equipped with

ladders or other means of egress?

_________________ 3. Is protection for trenches between 5 and 20 feet deep

installed under the supervision of a competent person?

_________________ 4. Does the competent person inspect the trench at least

once a day?

_________________ 5. Are excavated spoils kept at least two feet from the

trench?

_________________ 6. Are trenches and excavations barricaded to keep

vehicles and people from falling into them?

Comments: __________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

30-Hour Construction Industry OSHA Outreach Training Program Welding and Cutting Welding joins materials together by melting a metal work piece along with a filler metal to form a strong joint. The welding process produces visible smoke that contains harmful metal fume and gas by-products. Types of Welding Welding is classified into two groups: fusion (heat alone) or pressure (heat and pressure) welding. There are three types of fusion welding: electric arc, gas and thermit. Electric arc welding is the most widely used type of fusion welding. It employs an electric arc to melt the base and filler metals. Arc welding types in order of decreasing fume production include:

• Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) filler metal electrode; flux shield

• Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW) electrode provides both flux and filler material

• Gas Metal Arc (GMAW or MIG) widely used; consumable electrode for filler metal, external gas shield

• Tungsten Inert Gas (GTAW or TIG) superior finish; non-consumable electrode; externally-supplied inert gas shield

Gas or oxy-fuel welding uses a flame from burning a gas (usually acetylene) to melt metal at a joint to be welded, and is a common method for welding iron, steel, cast iron, and copper. Thermit welding uses a chemical reaction to produce intense heat instead of using gas fuel or electric current. Pressure welding uses heat along with impact-type pressure to join the pieces. Oxy-fuel and plasma cutting, along with brazing, are related to welding as they all involve the melting of metal and the generation of airborne metal fume. Brazing is a metal-joining process where only the filler metal is melted. Welding Fume Metals: Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Titanium, Vanadium, Zinc. Gases:

• Shielding—Argon, Helium, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide.

• Process—Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Ozone, Phosgene, Hydrogen Fluoride, Carbon Dioxide.

Factors that affect worker exposure to welding fume:

• Type of welding process

• Base metal and filler metals used

• Welding rod composition

• Location (outside, enclosed space)

• Welder work practices

• Air movement

• Use of ventilation controls Reducing exposure to welding fume

• Welders should understand the hazards of the materials they are working with. OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard requires employers to provide information and training for workers on hazardous materials in the workplace.

• Welding surfaces should be cleaned of any coating that could potentially create toxic exposure, such as solvent residue and paint.

• Workers should position themselves to avoid breathing welding fume and gases. For example, workers should stay upwind when welding in open or outdoor environments.

WELDING, CUTTING AND BRAZING

Are only authorized and trained personnel permitted to use welding, cutting, or brazing equipment?

Does each operator have a copy of and follow the appropriate operating instructions?

Are compressed gas cylinders regularly examined for obvious signs of defects, deep rusting, or leakage?

Is care used in handling and storage of cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc., to prevent damage?

Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except at a burner or in a standard torch?

Are only approved apparatuses (torches, regulators, pressure reducing valves, acetylene generators, manifolds) used?

Are cylinders kept away from sources of heat and elevators, stairs, or gangways?

Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or supports?

Are empty cylinders appropriately marked and their valves closed?

Are signs posted reading "DANGER, NO SMOKING, MATCHES, OR OPEN LIGHTS," or the equivalent?

Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, regulators, hoses and apparatuses kept free of oily or greasy substances?

Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?

Are regulators removed and valve-protection caps put in place before moving cylinders, unless they are secured on special trucks?

Do cylinders without fixed wheels have keys, handles, or non-adjustable wrenches on stem valves when in service?

Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valve-end up with valve covers in place?

Are employees trained never to crack a fuel gas cylinder valve near sources of ignition?

Before a regulator is removed, is the valve closed and gas released?

Is red used to identify the acetylene (and other fuel-gas) hose, green for the oxygen hose and black for inert gas and air hoses?

Are pressure-reducing regulators used only for the gas and pressures for which they are intended?

Is open circuit (no-load) voltage of arc welding and cutting machines as low as possible and not in excess of the recommended limits?

Under wet conditions, are automatic controls for reducing no-load voltage used?

Is grounding of the machine frame and safety ground connections of portable machines checked periodically?

Are electrodes removed from the holders when not in use?

Is it required that electric power to the welder be shut off when no one is in attendance?

Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment available for immediate use?

Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop welding electrode cable around his body?

Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested before use?

Are work and electrode lead cables frequently inspected for wear and damage, and replaced when needed?

Are cable connectors adequately insulated?

When the object to be welded cannot be moved and fire hazards cannot be removed, are shields used to confine heat, sparks and slag?

Are fire watchers assigned when welding or cutting is performed in locations where a serious fire might develop?

Are combustible floors kept wet, covered with damp sand, or protected by fire-resistant shields?

Are personnel protected from possible electrical shock when floors are wet?

Are precautions taken to protect combustibles on the other side of metal walls when welding is underway?

Are used drums, barrels, tanks and other containers thoroughly cleaned of substances that could explode, ignite, or produce toxic vapors before hot work begins?

Do eye protection, helmets, hand shields and goggles meet appropriate standards?

Are employees exposed to the hazards created by welding, cutting, or brazing operations protected with PPE and clothing?

Is a check made for adequate ventilation in and where welding or cutting is performed?

When working in confined places, are environmental monitoring tests done and means provided for quick removal of welders in case of an emergency?

30-Hour Construction Industry OSHA Outreach Training Program Excavations General Requirements OSHA standards require that employers provide workplaces free of recognized hazards. The employer must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652. Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required. Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be designed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652(b) and (c). Role of Competent Person Competent persons must be able to determine soil type based on at least one visual and one manual test performed at the jobsite. OSHA standards require that employers inspect trenches daily and as conditions change by a competent person before worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to workers, soil types and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions. Excavation Hazards Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers’ lives. When done safely, trenching operations can reduce worker exposure to other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. One cubic foot of soil weighs between 90-130 lbs. Access and Egress

• Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.

• Identify other sources that might affect trench stability.

• Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.

• Know where underground utilities are located before digging.

• Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when > 4 feet deep.

• Inspect trenches at the start of each shift.

• Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion.

• Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials.

• Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench.

• Ensure that personnel wear high visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic. Protective Systems

• Benching means a method of protecting workers from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near vertical surfaces between levels. Benching cannot be done in Type C soil.

• Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. • Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-

ins. • Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a

protective system can be complex because you must consider many factors: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes caused by weather or climate, surcharge loads (e.g., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity.

Employer and Employee Responsibilities Employers must:

• preplan the work and use the one-call system to identify underground utilities • protect employees from cave-ins and other excavation-related hazards • inspect the excavation at least daily and throughout the shift as needed • take prompt corrective action when a hazard is identified • respond to and correct hazards pointed out by the worker • make sure a ladder is within 25’ of your work area when deeper than 4’ • keep excavated dirt, rocks and other materials back 2’ from the excavation’s edge • test and monitor the air within the trench in areas suspect to atmospheric hazards

Employees must:

• work defensively • Follow their company’s excavation and trenching safety rules • correct the hazards they are able to correct • report to their supervisor the hazards they are unable to correct

Notes

30-Hour Construction Industry OSHA Outreach Training Program Materials Handling General Requirements In addition to training and education, applying general safety principles—such as proper work practices, equipment, and controls—can help reduce workplace accidents involving the moving, handling, and storing of materials. Whether moving materials manually or mechanically, employees should know and understand the potential hazards associated with the task at hand and how to control their workplaces to minimize the danger. Because numerous injuries can result from improperly handling and storing materials, workers should also be aware of accidents that may result from the unsafe or improper handling of equipment as well as from improper work practices. In addition, workers should be able to recognize the methods for eliminating—or at least minimizing—the occurrence of such accidents. Employers and employees should examine their workplaces to detect any unsafe or unhealthful conditions, practices, or equipment and take corrective action. Factors Contributing to Injuries

• Weight and bulkiness of objects

• Bending, twisting, turning movements

• Improper operation of equipment

• Accumulated materials or clutter

• Unsafe conditions of materials or containers

• Flammability or toxicity of some materials

• Weight of materials

• Binding ties or other devices that secure bundles or bound materials

• Falling objects

• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or otherwise manually moving large, heavy items

• Improperly stacked materials

• Struck-by or caught-in/-between hazards What precautions should workers take when moving materials manually? When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads. In addition, workers should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and use proper lifting techniques. To prevent injury from oversize loads, workers should seek help in the following:

• When a load is so bulky that employees cannot properly grasp or lift it,

• When employees cannot see around or over a load, or

• When employees cannot safely handle a load. Using the following personal protective equipment prevents needless injuries when manually moving materials:

• Hand and forearm protection, such as gloves, for loads with sharp or rough edges.

• Eye protection.

• Steel-toed safety shoes or boots.

• Metal, fiber, or plastic metatarsal guards to protect the instep area from impact or compression. Employees should use blocking materials to manage loads safely. Workers should also be cautious when placing blocks under a raised load to ensure that the load is not released before removing their hands from under the load. Blocking materials and timbers should be large and strong enough to support the load safely. In addition to materials with cracks, workers should not use materials with rounded corners, splintered pieces, or dry rot for blocking.

What precautions should workers take when moving materials mechanically? Using mechanical equipment to move and store materials increases the potential for employee injuries. Workers must be aware of both manual handling safety concerns and safe equipment operating techniques. Employees should avoid overloading equipment when moving materials mechanically by letting the weight, size, and shape of the material being moved dictate the type of equipment used. All materials-handling equipment has rated capacities that determine the maximum weight the equipment can safely handle and the conditions under which it can handle that weight. Employers must ensure that the equipment-rated capacity is displayed on each piece of equipment and is not exceeded except for load testing. Although workers may be knowledgeable about powered equipment, they should take precautions when stacking and storing material. When picking up items with a powered industrial truck, workers must do the following:

• Center the load on the forks as close to the mast as possible to minimize the potential for the truck tipping or the load falling,

• Avoid overloading a lift truck because it impairs control and causes tipping over,

• Do not place extra weight on the rear of a counterbalanced forklift to allow an overload,

• Adjust the load to the lowest position when traveling,

• Follow the truck manufacturer's operational requirements, and

• Pile and cross-tier all stacked loads correctly when possible. What precautions must workers take to avoid storage hazards? Stored materials must not create a hazard for employees. Employers should make workers aware of such factors as the materials' height and weight, how accessible the stored materials are to the user, and the condition of the containers where the materials are being stored when stacking and piling materials. To prevent creating hazards when storing materials, employers must do the following:

• Keep storage areas free from accumulated materials that cause tripping, fires, or explosions, or that may contribute to the harboring of rats and other pests;

• Place stored materials inside buildings that are under construction and at least 6 feet from hoist ways, or inside floor openings and at least 10 feet away from exterior walls;

• Separate noncompatible material; and

• Equip employees who work on stored grain in silos, hoppers, or tanks, with lifelines and safety belts. In addition, workers should consider placing bound material on racks, and secure it by stacking, blocking, or interlocking to prevent it from sliding, falling, or collapsing.

Notes

30-Hour Construction Industry OSHA Outreach Training Program Ergonomics To reduce the chance of injury, work tasks should be designed to limit exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Engineering controls are the most desirable, where possible. Administrative or work practice controls may be appropriate in some cases where engineering controls cannot be implemented or when different procedures are needed after implementation of the new engineering controls. Personal protection solutions have only limited effectiveness when dealing with ergonomic hazards.

Type of Control Workplace Examples

Engineering Controls (implement physical change to the workplace, which eliminates/reduces the hazard on the job/task)

▪ Use a device to lift and reposition heavy objects to limit force exertion ▪ Reduce the weight of a load to limit force exertion ▪ Reposition a work table to eliminate a long/excessive reach and enable working

in neutral postures ▪ Use diverging conveyors off a main line so that tasks are less repetitive ▪ Install diverters on conveyors to direct materials toward the worker to eliminate

excessive leaning or reaching ▪ Redesign tools to enable neutral postures

Administrative and Work Practice Controls (establish efficient processes or procedures)

▪ Require that heavy loads are only lifted by two people to limit force exertion ▪ Establish systems so workers are rotated away from tasks to minimize the

duration of continual exertion, repetitive motions, and awkward postures. Design a job rotation system in which employees rotate between jobs that use different muscle groups

▪ Staff "floaters" to provide periodic breaks between scheduled breaks ▪ Properly use and maintain pneumatic and power tools

Personal Protective Equipment (use protection to reduce exposure to ergonomics-related risk factors)

▪ Use padding to reduce direct contact with hard, sharp, or vibrating surfaces ▪ Wear good fitting thermal gloves to help with cold conditions while maintaining

the ability to grasp items easily